Teaching and Learning News

Dear Families,

As we reach the end of the school year, it is the perfect time to reflect on the significant journey we have undertaken as a school community in the teaching and learning of Mathematics and English. This year has been defined by a relentless focus on academic excellence and a commitment to evidence-based teaching.

Our goal this year was to align our classroom practices with the MACS Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement. We believe that every student can learn and that it is our responsibility to provide the highest quality instruction to make that happen.

Here is a look back at the key shifts we implemented this year and the incredible impact they have had on your children.

The Shift to Explicit Instruction

This year, we fully embraced Explicit Instruction which is based on a body of research known as the Science of Learning. This approach ensures that learning is broken down into small, manageable chunks to prevent students from feeling overwhelmed.

To support this, we implemented:

• Structured Literacy & Maths Blocks: At Mother Teresa, our students participate in structured, non negotiable blocks of time dedicated to the teaching of Maths and English. We are committed to prioritising the learning of these important foundational skills, as English and Mathematics are the basis for accessing all other subject areas. Dedicated time ensures a strong foundation for future learning.

• Daily Reviews: We start lessons by reviewing past learning. This helps move knowledge from short-term to long-term memory, ensuring concepts stick.

• Whiteboard Routines & Checks for Understanding: You may have seen your children using mini-whiteboards. This allows teachers to check if every student understands a concept in real-time before moving on, ensuring no child is left behind.

High-Quality, Evidence-Based Resources

To ensure our students are getting the best, we introduced Ochre Education resources for both Mathematics and English. These are rigorous, evidence-based materials that provide a consistent standard of learning for all students.

• Scope and Sequences (Prep–6): We introduced new "roadmaps" for learning across the whole school based on the newly revised Victorian Curriculum. This ensures that learning is sequential; skills learned in Prep are built upon in Year 1, and so on, creating a seamless journey through to Year 6.

• Synthetic Phonics: We placed a heavy emphasis on Synthetic Phonics in Prep-2, teaching children the specific codes of our language to unlock reading.

Celebrating Our Data

The proof of these changes is in the results. We are thrilled to report significant improvements in our PAT-R (Reading), PAT-M (Maths), Westwood One Minute Basic Number Facts and Maths Online data across the school.

Furthermore, we introduced DIBELS testing (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) this year, a new gold-standard assessment tool. This has allowed us to focus on a range of reading skills around decoding and fluency, ensuring students aren't just getting the right answers, but are doing so with the speed and accuracy required for higher-level reading comprehension.

Teacher Growth

Our teachers have been learners too. This year, staff engaged in rigorous Professional Learning (PL) centred on:

• The Science of Learning: 

  • Understanding how the human brain acquires, stores and uses information

  • How to use Cognitive Load Theory to maximise student learning

  • The use of Daily Reviews to help with retention and recall of information

  • How to check for student understanding in real time

  • How to implement classroom routines to reduce cognitive load

  • The use of spaced and daily practice

  • The use of participation tactics to enhance student engagement in order to impact student learning.

• UFLI Training: Ensuring P-2 staff are experts in teaching early reading.

• Mathematic Professional Learning: Providing access to MACS webinars on key areas to support planning and implementation of Mathematical concepts and strategies.

The Journey Continues

We are just getting started! We are excited to announce our next steps for the upcoming academic year:

• UFLI Implementation (Prep–Year 2): We will be rolling out the University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) foundations program in 2026. This is a world-renowned phonics program that will supercharge our early reading instruction.

• Science of Reading Professional Learning: Professional Learning for Staff around the body of research known as The Science of Reading.

• Continued Excellence (Prep–Year 6): We will continue to embed Ochre resources and our explicit instruction models to ensure our students continue their upward trajectory in Maths and English.

• Mental Computation Scope and Sequence: Further implementation of the Mental Computation Scope and Sequence into Prep-2 supported by a tracking tool to monitor student progress and achievement.

   

Thank you for your partnership this year. These changes have required hard work from staff and students alike and your support at home has been invaluable.

We wish you a restful break and look forward to another year of high expectations and high achievement in 2026.

Wishing you and your families a blessed and holy Christmas and a safe New Year.

Warm regards,

Conchita Thomas and Naomi Glasby